“Please note that the University is obligated, in terms of recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2021 (Act 13 of 2021), to assess all prospective employees (including applicants) against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The outcome of such an assessment may have an impact upon possible employment with the University.

• Fulfil technical and administrative duties within the department.
• Provide effective delivery capabilities to ensure successful deployment, maintenance, and support of the Microsoft environment, including on-premises and cloud solutions.
• Plan, manage, and coordinate operational activities to ensure continuous availability of Microsoft systems and applications.
• Contribute positively to the advancement of the university’s IT strategy.
• Ensure effective and efficient technical skill and knowledge application.
• Coach and mentor team members on adopted technology best practices.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to the team on Microsoft technologies and solutions.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide solutions to ensure smooth operations.
• Stay updated with the latest Microsoft technologies and industry trends to keep the team’s skills and knowledge current.

• Operational excellence - Continuously improving processes and outcomes within the technical team by identifying gaps and implementing effective changes.
• Ensure the IT infrastructure is secure, reliable, and efficient.
• Develop, update, and enforce IT policies and procedures to ensure compliance and security.
• Support implementing and maintaining IT systems, software, and hardware.
• Liaise with vendors regarding incident resolution, infrastructure maintenance, and support contractual obligations.
• Manage the testing and deployment of new Microsoft systems and environments.
• Document and manage Microsoft infrastructure architecture and the lifecycle of Microsoft products.
• Develop, document, and mature operational processes.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of IT processes, systems, and projects.
• Prepare and present regular reports on, but not limited to, access reviews, system changes, project status, and IT operations.
• Ensure all documentation complies with organizational standards and requirements.

• Make informed decisions that benefit the team and organization, considering short-term and long-term impacts.
• Foster a problem-solving mindset within the team, encouraging innovative solutions and ideas.

• Negotiate contracts and agreements with vendors and suppliers to secure favourable terms and conditions.
• Plan, initiate, and manage IT projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with other departments to understand their needs and ensure IT projects align with business goals.
• Monitor project progress and make necessary adjustments to meet deadlines and objectives.
• Governance: Ensuring adherence to project guidelines, optimizing resource allocation, and maintaining transparency in decisionmaking processes.

• Contribute to preparing the annual infrastructure and operations budget aligned with the business strategy.
• Draft and evaluate tender documentation to procure the most suitable Microsoft solutions, including licensing, per business requirements.
• Implement and support ICT vendor management, reporting all incidents to relevant parties.

• Consult and advise departments organization-wide regarding their server and application requirements.
• Ensure cross-collaboration with all levels within the organization to provide support.

• Degree or relevant qualification (NQF 7) with 3 to 5 years' of job-related experience.
• Industry Standard Certification: Relevant Microsoft Certifications.
• Technical middle management: 2 to 3 years of experience in a technical middle management role.
• Proficiency in technical aspects of Active Directory and Entra ID.
• Proficiency in virtualization infrastructure

• Demonstrated strong leadership abilities.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality support and services.
• Strong analytical and deep technical skills and knowledge.
• Capable of producing fast paced but well-considered results.
• Ability to develop new ideas and improve existing ones.
• Maintain high standards and produce high-quality work.
• Structured, organized, and efficient work expected from self and others.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Self-starter, motivated, organized, and detail oriented.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication skills

• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in technical aspects of Active Directory and Entra ID.
  • Technical expertise in Azure infrastructure.
  • Strong skills in Windows Operating Systems.
  • Solid understanding of Intune and MS Office 365, including integration and security.
  • Proficiency in cloud computing and virtualization technologies (Azure, Hyper-V, VMware).
  • Proficiency in writing, modifying, reading, and understanding PowerShell scripts.
  • Strong understanding of networking protocols and security
  • Familiarity with Microsoft SQL
• Security:
  • Demonstrated skills in implementing security hardening techniques for Windows environments.
  • Experience in patch management and vulnerability management.
• Experience with Microsoft System Centre Suite: Over four years of experience with:
  • Virtual Machine Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Configuration Manager
• Identity Management: Strong understanding of identity management practices.
• Project Management: Experience in managing projects effectively.
• Vendor Management: 2 to 3 years of experience in managing vendor relationships